Three World Series rings. Postseason hero.
Lovable nickname (Kung Fu Panda) complete with fans who wear panda masks
during his at-bats.

But the Red Sox have
interest in the 28-year-old free agent third baseman, and after
contacting Sandoval’s representatives have scheduled a meeting between
the parties at next week’s general managers’ meetings in Scottsdale,
Ariz., according to a major league source.

Sandoval owns a .426 average in three World Series, with
a 1.162 OPS. His postseason numbers — .344 average and .935 OPS — outshine his regular-season statistics.

Sandoval doesn’t turn 29 until Aug. 11, which is attractive for a team looking for a
position player long term.

The Red Sox are
in need of a lefthanded hitter. Sandoval is a switch-hitter whose 2014
splits favor the left side (.317 to .199), but he did have two key
righthanded hits in the recent World Series.

He’s
listed at 5 feet 11 inches and 245 pounds, but appears heavier.
Sandoval dropped about 30 pounds between the end of 2013 and spring
training, but according to one Giants official he gained at least 20
pounds back during the season.

When
Sandoval’s weight is under control, he’s a very good third baseman. When
he’s heavier, his quickness fades. The Red Sox don’t want to sign him
just as a future replacement for Ortiz at DH; they want him for third
base. Sandoval’s weight fluctuation is a big reason the Giants haven’t
already committed to him. They don’t have a DH fallback.